Dominoes or dominos is a class of popular table games for two to four players, played with a set of specially marked tiles. There are many games that can be played with dominoes, but the simplest, known as “block dominoes,” serves as a basis for most of the others, and remains the most popular. Read the steps below to learn how to play two-player block dominoes.

Steps

Part 1

Preparation

1

Acquire a domino set. A standard set contains 28 rectangular tiles marked with between 0 and 6 dots on each end of the face side. The back side is blank and smooth. Most domino sets are inexpensive; many also come with a carrying case for easy transport.

Thrift stores and yard sales are great places to find cheap domino sets. Dominoes last more or less forever, so don't worry about the age of the set.

If you don't have the money to buy dominoes yourself, consider asking friends and relatives if you can borrow a set. Often, someone you know will have an extra set stored away somewhere that they will be glad loan you.

There are also larger domino sets with numbers from 0 to 12 or more, all the way up to 18. The game is played more or less the same way regardless of numbering, but this article assumes you have an ordinary 0 to 6 set.

2

Pick a place. A game of dominoes requires a flat surface with a decent amount of space. Large tables, such as those found in cafeterias and libraries, are usually a safe choice.

Make sure that you pick somewhere that allows at least a moderate level of noise; dominoes clack when they're set down.

A kitchen table is a fine choice if you are playing with friends. Clear off any centerpieces or dishes first.

3

Shuffle the dominoes. Turn the tiles face down on the table, then move them around with your hands, being careful not to flip any over. Once the tiles have been sufficiently mixed, scoot the pile to one side so that your play area is clear.

Each player picks one extra tile from the bone yard. The player who draws the tile with the highest total value goes first.

Each player reviews his or her hand and reveals the tile with the highest total value. Whoever has the highest number goes first.

Each player reveals a double (a tile with the same number on either end) from his or her hand, and the player with the highest double goes first.

One player flips a coin and the other player calls it. Whoever wins the flip goes first.

3

Lay the first domino. It is customary for the first domino to be a double tile (a tile with the same number on both ends), if possible; otherwise, any tile may be used. The orientation of the domino doesn't matter.

Take turns adding dominoes. Using your hand of seven tiles, add one domino to either narrow end of the first domino. You can only add a domino to the board if it has a number that matches a number on one open end of the domino board. For example, if the first tile is a pair of 4s, you can only play a domino that has one end marked with a 4. Place the dominoes together end on end to show that they are matched.

Once the end of a domino has been placed on the end of another domino, those ends are closed and no further dominoes can be attached to them.

There are never more than two ends open anywhere on the board. These are always the outside ends of the domino chain.

If you can't play onto either end of the board, you must pass your turn.

If you are placing a double tile, it is customary (but not necessary) to set the tile perpendicular to the tile you are playing onto. Regardless of orientation, only one side of the double tile (the side opposite the touching side) is considered free.

If you run out of space, it is acceptable to play a domino onto the appropriate side of the open tile so that the line of dominoes turns. This has no strategic value, and is only done to save space.

5

End the round and award points. Whoever plays all 7 of his or her dominoes first wins the round, and receives points equal to the total of all the dots on the opponent's remaining tiles.

If neither player is able to finish, both players reveal their hands and add up the total of tiles in each one. Whoever has the lowest total wins the round, and receives points equal to the difference between his or her total and the opponent's total.

In the case of a tie, the victory goes to whichever player has the tile with the smallest sum total.

Whenever a set number of total points (usually 100 or 200) is reached, the game is over.

Printable Dominoes

Community Q&A

If I have no tiles that I can play, should my opponent keep playing his own tiles until the game ends?

wikiHow Contributor

Yes. If you have no tiles that you can play, you will need to "pass" your turn, and let your opponant play a tile. After his turn, see if you can play a tile. If you can, then play a tile; if you can't, then pass again. If neither of you can, the game is over.

You're thinking of a variation called "All Fives." In that game, you score points by placing a tile that causes both ends of the chain to add up to a multiple of five (5, 10, 15, or 20). You score that amount of points. For example, if the two ends of the chain are a 4 and a 3, you could place a 3:1 tile to score 5 points (4 + 1 = 5) or a perpendicular 3:3 tile to score 10 points (3 + 3 + 4 = 10).

If this question (or a similar one) is answered twice in this section, please click here to let us know.

Tips

Learn some simple variants to spice up your play:

Draw dominoes is the same as block dominoes, except that players must draw from the bone yard if they can't make a play.

Muggins is a game of dominoes where points are scored every time a play makes the total of both open ends add up to a multiple of 5.

Many other variations can be found in books or online.

it is really fun to play dominos with your kids to keep them entertained. Plus it is easy to play!

Find more people to play against. Dominoes is essentially a social game, and many people know how to play it. Bring your domino set with you to school or a reunion to find new players and make friends.

"It was a big help. My husband and I learned to play during a family vacation and we needed a refresher."

Rated this article:

CR

Cheryl Rehaume-Togashi

Nov 25, 2016

"Thank you so much for creating these instructions. They are clear and concise. I'm going to print them and put them in a box of Double-Nine Dominoes that I picked up at a local Thrift Shop. Recycle, up-cycle, reduce, re-Use!"..." more

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Sandra Bartell

Jul 28

"We played dominoes when I was young. Recently I was on a cruise and learned how to play All Fives or Muggins. I like my way best, but it really makes you think and count. Your article was very helpful."..." more

CL

Chris Lonsbury

Aug 15, 2016

"The videos are very helpful. I tried just reading the instructions that came with the game, but got nowhere. It is embarrassing but did not even know what crosswise meant."..." more

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Abdul Waheed

Dec 22, 2016

"This is the website from which I understood how to play dominoes. On YouTube and all, I couldn't understand a single word! Thanks, wikiHow."..." more

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Neels Botha

Oct 22, 2016

"The fact that I can ask questions and get answers. The other sites do not gave that opportunity. Thanks."

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Yolanda Harris

Nov 24, 2016

"It was the pictures of the game and simple instructions that helped most. Liked it very much."

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Almas C.

Dec 26, 2016

"This article use animated GIFs so that it is easier to understand. Thanks."

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Ron L.

Jun 17, 2016

"I learn best by reading, so your text explanations did me wonders. Thanks."